Picks and like tools



Feb. 22, 1949. J. c. ROCHE PICK AND LIKE TOOLS Filed Aug. 22, 1945INVENTOR. 055/? C Woe/m Patented Feb. 22, 1949 PICKS AND LIKE TOOLS JohnC. Roche, Battle Creek, Mich., assignor of one-half to Dorene J.Zahanion, Battle Creek,

Mich.

Application August 22, 1945, Serial No. 611.960

2 Claims. (01. 306-32) This invention relates to improvements in picksand like tools.

In tools of the pick and grub hoe type the tool head receiving end ofthe handle or helve is tapered inwardly, the tool head being providedwith a socket having a correspondingly shaped inward taper. Such toolsare subjected to very severe uses and stresses in use and are subject tosevere weather conditions, with the result that the head frequentlybecomes loosened and may slide toward the grip end of the handle andquite frequently workmen are injured.

The main object of this invention is to provide in a tool of thischaracter a structure in which the tool head is firmly anchored to thehandle and cannot slide on the handle to the possible injury of theworkman.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention willdefinitely appear from the description to follow. The invention isdefined in the claims.

A structure which embodies the features of the invention is clearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a pick embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in section on line 2-2of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the head fastener of this invention.

In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated my invention as appliedto a pick but it will be understood that it is desirable for use in grubhoes and like tools. These tools are subjected to very heavy strains inuse, being frequently used to pry objects from the ground or heavyblocks of material such, for example, as in breaking up and removing aconcrete paving slab or other type of pavement. Since stresses tend topull the head of the tool from the handle, the handle I is provided withan inwardly tapered tool head receiving end portion 2 of fiattenedsection. The tool head 3 illustrated is of the double bit pick type andis provided with an inwardly tapered socket 4 of flattened sectionfittingly engaging the handle end portion 2. The end portion 2 of thehandle has a longitudinal groove 5 therein preferably extending somewhatabove the inner edge 6 of the handle socket.

The fastener member 1 comprises a shaft portion 8 of a length exceedingthe length of the head socket and terminating at its outer end in aninturned end 9 which laps the end of the handle. The inturned endterminates in a prong H! which is driven longitudinally into the end ofthe handle. The shaft is disposed in the groove but the groove is ofsuch depth relative to the thickness of the shaft that there is awedging engagement between the shaft and handle and the socket when theparts are in assembled relation. The end of the fastener is bentoutwardly and clamped over the inner edge of the head socket to providea retaining hook l2.

In assembling, the fastener member may be placed in position with itsprong driven into the end of the handle and its shaft disposed withinthe groove. The head is then slipped over the handle and over thefastener element and firmly driven upon the inwardly tapered headreceiving end portion of the handle. This may commonly be done by blowson the head end of the handle or resulting from striking the end againsta suitable surface. When the head is firmly positioned the end of thefastener is bent over and clamped upon the upper edge of the head socketTo facilitate the bending and also to provide a sharp edge the inneredge of the upper end of the shaft is beveled at H and this becomes theouter edge when it is clamped into position. The prong l0 serves tosupport the fastener while the head is being assembled therewith andalso serves to anchor the laterally turned end 9 and prevent its beingdisplaced or bent outwardly when the tool is in use. The fastener may beassembled by driving its shaft into the socket with the handle assembledtherewith. That may be desirable when the device is applied to oldtools.

I have illustrated my invention as applied to a pick but there are othertools such as grub hoes, mattocks and the like in which the inventionmay be embodied. It is believed this disclosure will enable thoseskilled in the art to embody or adapt the invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a fastener for tool heads, a handle having an inwardly taperedtool head-engaging end substantially ovate in cross-section providing'flattened sides, one of the flattened sides having a relatively Widegroove therein with a flat bottom wall, a tool head having an inwardlytapering socket of a shape in cross-section to mate with the taperingend of said handle, the groove being of greater length than the lengthof the tool head socket, and a fastener for anchoring the tool head onthe handle including a bar rectangular in cross-section of substantiallythe same width of the groove and of a thickness greater than the depthof the groove to provide wedging engagement between the tool head andhandle, the outer end of the bar being reversely angularly bent toprovide a terminal 7 prong adapted to be driven into the outer end ofthe handle and the inner end of the bar adapted to be bent away from thehandle and into U- shape for overlying the flattened side wall of the 7tool head.

2. A fastener as in claim 1, wherein the inner end of the bar isbevelled to facilitate prying of said end from the groove in the handlefor bend- 15 ing around the side of the tool head. 7

JOHN C. ROCHE.

4 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 453,595 Jefieris June 2, 18911,204,206 Thomason Nov. '7, 1916 1,914,802 Cochrane June 20', 19331,947,832 Dobbins Feb. 20, 1934 2,103,409 Ford Dec. 28, 1937 V FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date Great Britain Nov. 1, 1923

